Symphony for Me: Australians invited to share heartfelt stories through classical music

Classical music lovers from across the country are being asked to nominate a piece of music which moves them, as part of an upcoming concert in Brisbane highlighting the personal stories of everyday people.

Symphony for Me, which is part of September's Brisbane Festival program, will see five people choose a piece of music to be performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO).

The people chosen will be invited on stage with the orchestra to share the story behind their choice of music.

Meet three entrants who have chosen a classical piece and explain why that music moves them.

Angela Lathouras of Bundaberg - Ravel's Pavane

Wide Bay mother Angela Lathouras chose a piece of music which came from a story of sadness.

"Our son plays in the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra and ... early last year, they were learning this piece of music when one of their beautiful young members lost her life in a traffic accident," she said.

"There was an intense sense of loss for all the orchestra members and they played this piece in memory of this lovely young girl at their last concert.

"It was so fitting because the title of the piece is, The Death of a Princess."

Ms Lathouras said the parents of the young girl were at the performance.

"Around 10 minutes into the first movement, there's a bit where the saxophone or clarinet comes in quietly and leads up to a climax and the orchestra cuts in and it's quite startling," Mr Walther said.

"It frightens some people [but] ever since that episode, I've adopted that as my favourite piece of music.

"It had startling consequences for me and the patient and it showed me that music can be used effectively in the right situations ... it was a moment of re-evaluation for me."